Cannabidiol (CBD) in the Self-Treatment of Anxiety and Depression

CBD oil has various health benefits and disadvantages too. This article talks about what CBD is, how it works for anxiety and depression, and its pros and cons when used to treat anxiety and depression.

CBD has several health benefits in humans; these include relief from pain,anxiety, and some symptoms of depression. Depression is characterized by sadness or helplessness, while a persistent feeling of unease and worry characterizes anxiety. THC increases anxiety, while CBD reduces anxiety.There are several studies by specialists to determine how CBD can be effective against those with chronic anxiety. CBD oil is readily available in the market to help those suffering from anxiety and depression; here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using CBD oil for anxiety and depression.

What is CBD?

CBD is one of the compounds found in the cannabis plant, and it's classified as a cannabinoid with THC and CBG. Other compounds found in the cannabis plant are terpenes and flavonoids that add flavour and aroma to the products of the plant, although they might have their benefits. The cannabis plant is found in two major varieties, Hemp and Marijuana, according to their compositions of cannabinoids. The Marijuana plant has high levels of THC and low levels of CBD, while the hemp plant case is vice versa. That is why most companies that extract CBD use the hemp plant to maximize the yield produced.

CBD, in particular, seems to be the most popular compound because of its various benefits. You can find CBD products such as edibles, topicals, and oil. According to Eskander et al. (2020), CBD offers pain relief, which is just one of the many benefits of CBD. It's thought that the ability of CBD to interact with the receptors in the body gives it various benefits.

CBD for Anxiety and Depression

CBD affects mental health positively. However, more research is being done to know how it works; there is existing evidence that points to how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system. According to Blessing et al. (2015), CBD has properties that help those with anxiety issues. CBD oil applied sublingually is one of the quickest ways of feeling the effects of CBD. This help gets relief from anxiety attacks. Other evidence suggests that CBD reduces anxiety and its symptoms, such as insomnia and stress. However, research is ongoing on how CBD affects anxiety levels; many might find the existing research enough to try CBD products.

According to Sales et al. (2018), CBDs' ability to have anti-depressant effectsdepends on the interaction with the serotonin receptors in the body. According to researchers, a low level of serotonin is associated with depression. In contrast, a higher level of serotonin is associated with extreme happiness. This and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD helps those with depression.

Pros of Using CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression

It offers a quick way of enjoying the effects of CBD. Taking CBD sublingually is one of the quickest ways of taking CBD when compared to other methods. When taken sublingually, CBD is absorbed directly into the bloodstream by the endless blood vessels that can be found under the tongue. This can be the quickest way of relieving anxiety attacks and episodes of depression; however, you can also try other methods of taking CBD according to your preferences.

Apart from helping with your anxiety and depression, CBD is known to have properties that might give you relief from pain. All these benefits of CBD are achievedwithout having any psychoactive effects or causing addiction, so the next time you take your CBD, don't worry about it getting you high.

CBD oil is naturally extracted from plants; therefore, it's organic and usually has carrier oils that might benefit your health. CBD is a perfect way to enjoy relief more naturally compared to other medications.

CBD is easy to use and usually has fewer side effects. Because CBD oil comes in a dropper, it becomes easier to use. Furthermore, compared to other medications, CBD oil doesn't have many side effects; the best part is that it's not as addictive as some of the medications used to treat anxiety. However, this shouldn't mean that CBD oil will magically heal anxiety or should be used instead of prescribed medications. It would be best to always ask your health adviser before trying CBD oil for anxiety.

Cons of CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression

 research is ongoing to determine how CBD affects our bodies. There is noapproved dosage or quality for CBD oil, which undermines its usage.

Because CBD is still restricted in other states, it has become inaccessible to others. CBD can only be foundin areas where CBD is approved.

Although CBD is considered safe, some claim to feel side effects from taking CBD. According to Liu (2019), these side effects include dry mouth, diarrhoea, and a change in mood. However, these side effects are usually tolerable and are not experienced by everyone. Learn more about can cbg help with constipation?

Conclusion

CBD has several health benefits, including relief from pain and inflammation. Products such as CBD oil can be easily found online and help with anxiety and depression; however, like any other product, it has its pros and cons. CBD oil is one of the quickest ways of taking CBD taken sublingually; it's easy to use and usually has few side effects compared to other medications. CBD oil, on the other hand, is still under research and is not available in all states because of the restrictions in place.

References

Eskander, J. P., Spall, J., Spall, A., Shah, R. V., & Kaye, A. D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment of acute and chronic back pain: A case series and literature review. J Opioid Manag, 16(3), 215-8.

Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., &Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol is a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.

Sales, A. J.,Crestani, C. C., Guimarães, F. S., &Joca, S. R. (2018). Antidepressant-like effect induced by Cannabidiol is dependent on brain serotonin levels. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 86, 255-261.

Liu, T. (2019). What is CBD Oil? Learn the Facts: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects.